Snapper, Ruby (Onaga) – U.S. Hawaii

Onaga is a large-bodied, moderately long-lived snapper, found in deep tropical and subtropical waters across the Indo-Pacific from Hawaii to East Africa.

In Hawaii, Onaga are caught in a mixed fishery with other deep water snappers and groupers, which collectively are called the Hawaii Deep 7 Bottomfish complex. These species are managed through annual catch limits and closed fishing areas. While the Deep 7 Bottomfish complex as a whole is considered to have a healthy abundance, the abundance of individual species is unknown. Catches of Onaga are the second highest of the Deep 7 species.

Onaga are caught with handlines, which cause little damage to bottom habitats. Few non-target species are caught, however a species of high conservation concern (Hawaiian grouper) is targeted in the Deep 7 Bottomfish fishery.